In-seat sound suppression

ABSTRACT

A vehicle system includes a controller that is configured to (a) store a plurality of passenger profiles regarding passengers of a vehicle where each of the plurality of passenger profiles include pre-stored characteristics of a respective passenger associated therewith, (b) acquire passenger identifying data regarding a present passenger in the vehicle, (c) identify a respective passenger profile associated with the present passenger from the plurality of passenger profiles based on the passenger identifying data, and (d) control a speaker positioned within the vehicle based at least in part on the respective passenger profile to emit noise-canceling sound waves to generate a noise suppression zone to suppress sound waves perceived by the present passenger.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/200,365, filed Mar. 12, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/411,876, filed May 14, 2019, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/673,499, filed May 18, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The interior of a vehicle may have various unwanted noises at variousfrequencies (e.g., engine noise, road noise, suspension noise, windnoise, etc.) that can hinder the hearing of passengers within thevehicle.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a vehicle system. The vehicle system includesone or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devicescoupled to one or more processors. The one or more memory devices areconfigured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the oneor more processors, cause the one or more processors to (a) store aplurality of passenger profiles regarding passengers of a vehicle whereeach of the plurality of passenger profiles include pre-storedcharacteristics of a respective passenger associated therewith, (b)acquire passenger identifying data regarding a present passenger in thevehicle, (c) identify a respective passenger profile associated with thepresent passenger from the plurality of passenger profiles based on thepassenger identifying data, and (d) control a speaker positioned withinthe vehicle based at least in part on the respective passenger profileto emit noise-canceling sound waves to generate a noise suppression zoneto suppress sound waves perceived by the present passenger.

Another embodiment relates to a vehicle system. The vehicle systemincludes a first speaker associated with a first seat, a second speakerassociated with a second seat, a first processing circuit associatedwith the first seat and the first speaker, and a second processingcircuit associated with the second seat and the second speaker. Thefirst processing circuit is configured to receive an indication that afirst passenger is sitting in the first seat and control the firstspeaker to emit first noise-canceling sound waves to generate a firstnoise suppression zone that projects toward the first passenger tosuppress one or more sound waves perceived by the first passenger. Thesecond processing circuit is configured to receive an indication that asecond passenger is sitting in the second seat and control the secondspeaker, independent of the first processing circuit, to emit secondnoise-canceling sound waves to generate a second noise suppression zonethat projects toward the second passenger to suppress one or more soundwaves perceived by the second passenger.

Still another embodiment relates to a vehicle system. The vehicle systemincludes one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memorydevices coupled to one or more processors. The one or more memorydevices are configured to store instructions thereon that, when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (a)receive an indication that a passenger is sitting in a seat of avehicle, (b) acquire first passenger data regarding the passenger, (c)acquire sound data from a microphone within the vehicle, (d) control oneor more speakers within the vehicle based at least in part on the sounddata and the first passenger data to emit noise-canceling sound waves togenerate a noise suppression zone that projects toward the passenger tosuppress one or more sound waves perceived by the passenger, (e) acquiresecond passenger data regarding movement of the passenger within theseat, and (f) dynamically adjust the noise suppression zone based on thesecond passenger data.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of thedevices or processes described herein will become apparent in thedetailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a passenger capsule of thevehicle of FIG. 1 having a sound suppression system, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are various views of a seat associated with the passengercapsule of FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seat associated with the passengercapsule of FIG. 2 having a removable headrest, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the passenger capsule of the vehicleof FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a passenger capsule of thevehicle of FIG. 1 having a sound suppression system, according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the passenger capsule of the vehicleof FIG. 7 , according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the sound suppression system forthe passenger capsule of FIGS. 2 and 7 , according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are various graphs depicting volume within the passengercapsule prior to sound suppression and after sound suppression,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a sound suppression system for avehicle is configured to generate zones of quiet or sound suppressionzones around the heads of passengers sitting within the vehicle withoutthe use of devices worn by the passengers. By way of example, a vehiclemay generate noises that reach rather loud levels within the cabin ofthe vehicle. Ear plugs or other noise canceling devices may be worn bythe passengers, however, such devices hinder hearing and communicatingcapabilities. Accordingly, the sound suppression system of the presentdisclosure is configured to target various frequencies (e.g.,low-frequency noises, pre-identified frequencies, etc.) to suppressnoises at the target frequencies without hindering the hearing of thepassengers, thereby reducing the sound levels perceived by thepassengers while within the generated zones of quiet or soundsuppression zones.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle, shown as vehicle 10, includes a hull andframe assembly 100, an armor assembly 200, and wheel and tire assemblies600. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle10 is a military vehicle (e.g., joint light tactical vehicle (“JLTV”),family of medium tactical vehicles (“FMTV”), etc.). In otherembodiments, the vehicle 10 is an aircraft (e.g., an airplane, ahelicopter, etc.), a troop carrier, a tank, a passenger vehicle, asemi-truck, an off-road vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, a utility taskvehicle, a motorcycle, construction equipment (e.g., a skid loader, atelehandler, boom lift, a scissor lift, etc.), a refuse vehicle, aconcrete mixer truck, an ambulance, a fire truck, and/or still anothertype of vehicle. According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10includes an engine, a transmission, a transaxle, a braking system, afuel system, and a suspension system coupling the hull and frameassembly 100 to the wheel and tire assemblies 600.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the hull and frame assembly 100 includes apassenger capsule, shown as cabin 110, a front module, shown as frontmodule 120, and a rear module, shown as rear module 130. According to anexemplary embodiment, the front module 120 and the rear module 130 arecoupled to the cabin 110 with a plurality of interfaces. As shown inFIG. 1 , the front module 120 includes a front axle having wheel andtire assemblies 600. The front module 120 includes a body panel, shownas hood 122. In some embodiments, the hood 122 at least partiallysurrounds the engine of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the rearmodule 130 includes a body assembly, shown as bed 132.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-8 , the armor assembly 200 includes apassenger capsule assembly 202. The passenger capsule assembly 202includes a roof 201, a floor 207, a headliner 210, and seats 300. Asshown in FIGS. 1,2, and 6-8 , the passenger capsule assembly 202 is amain passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The passenger capsuleassembly 202 may be configured to encapsulate and/or provide a space forone or more seats 300 for the operator (e.g., driver, etc.) and one ormore occupants of the vehicle 10 (e.g., front seats, rear seats, etc.).In an alternative embodiment, the passenger capsule assembly 202 is atroop carrier disposed on and/or within another portion of a vehicle(e.g., the bed 132 of the vehicle 10, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 3-6 , each of the seats 300 include a first portion,shown as seat portion 310, a second portion, shown as back portion 320,and a third portion, shown as headrest 330. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ,the headrest 330 is integrally formed with the back portion 320. Asshown in FIG. 5 , the headrest 330 is releasably coupled to the backportion 320 where the back portion 320 of the seat 300 definesinterfaces, shown as slots 322, that cooperate with (e.g., receives,etc.) corresponding interfaces of the headrest 330, shown as posts 332.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-8 , the passengercapsule assembly 202 includes a noise suppression or noise cancelingsystem, shown as sound suppression system 400, configured to providesound suppression to occupants sitting in the seats 300. As shown inFIGS. 2-6 , the sound suppression system 400 is configured as an in-seatsound suppression system (e.g., multiple components of the soundsuppression system 400 are positioned within the seats 300, etc.). Asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the sound suppression system 400 is configuredas a sound suppression system positioned external from the seats 300(e.g., the majority of the components of the sound suppression system400 are positioned external from the seats 300, etc.). In someembodiments, the sound suppression system 400 includes components ofboth the in-seat sound suppression system and the external soundsuppression system that cooperatively provide the sound suppression tothe occupants sitting in the seats 300.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the sound suppression system 400 includes afirst speaker, shown as first in-seat speaker 410, a second speaker,shown as second in-seat speaker 420, and a third speaker, shown as thirdin-seat speaker 430, positioned within each headrest 330 of the seats300. The first in-seat speakers 410 are positioned along a verticalcenterline of and disposed within (e.g., recessed within, etc.) each ofthe headrests 330 such that the first in-seat speakers 410 arepositioned directly or approximately directly behind the head ofpassengers sitting in the seats 300. The second in-seat speakers 420 arepositioned laterally offset from (e.g., to the left of, etc.) thevertical centerline of and disposed within (e.g., recessed within, etc.)each of the headrests 330 such that the second in-seat speakers 420 areproximate the left ear of passengers sitting in the seats 300. The thirdin-seat speakers 430 are positioned laterally offset from (e.g., to theright of, etc.) the vertical centerline of and disposed within (e.g.,recessed within, etc.) the headrests 330 such that the third in-seatspeakers 430 are proximate the right ear of passengers sitting in theseat 300. In other embodiments, the sound suppression system 400includes a different number of speakers and/or the speakers areotherwise positioned within the seat 300. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the first in-seat speaker 410 is configured to emit soundtherefrom at a lower frequency than that of the sound emitted from thesecond in-seat speaker 420 and/or the third in-seat speaker 430. In someembodiments, the speakers are covered with some sort of protectivecovering, cage, grille, and/or padding.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the sound suppression system 400additionally or alternatively includes a fourth speaker, shown as firstheadliner speaker 412, a fifth speaker, shown as second headlinerspeaker 422, and a sixth speaker, shown third headliner speaker 432,positioned within the headliner 210 above each of the seats 300. Thefirst headliner speakers 412 are positioned directly above each of theseats 300. The second headliner speakers 422 are positioned laterallyoffset from (e.g., to the left of, to the rear of, etc.) the firstheadliner speakers 412. The third headliner speakers 432 are positionedlaterally offset from (e.g., to the right of, to the front of, etc.) thefirst headliner speakers 412. In other embodiments, the soundsuppression system 400 includes a different number of speakers and/orthe speakers are otherwise positioned within the headliner 210.According to an exemplary embodiment, the first headliner speaker 412 isconfigured to emit sound therefrom at a lower frequency than that of thesound emitted from the second headliner speaker 422 and/or the thirdheadliner speaker 432.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first in-seat speakers 410, the second in-seatspeakers 420, and the third in-seat speakers 430 are selectively and/ordynamically controllable to emit sound waves at target frequencies thatare out of phase with noise within the passenger capsule assembly 202(e.g., low frequency noises, etc.) to dampen the noise and generatefirst zones of quiet (e.g., a quiet bubble, etc.), shown as first soundsuppression zones 402, around the head of the passengers within each ofthe seats 300. Accordingly, when a passenger's head is within the firstsound suppression zone 402, the noise (e.g., from lower frequencysources, etc.) heard thereby is significantly lower than what wouldotherwise be heard outside of the first sound suppression zone 402.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first headliner speakers 412, the secondheadliner speakers 422, and the third headliner speakers 432 areselectively and/or dynamically controllable to emit sound waves attarget frequencies that are out of phase with noise within the passengercapsule assembly 202 (e.g., low frequency noises, etc.) to dampen thenoise and generate second zones of quiet (e.g., a quiet bubble, etc.),shown as second sound suppression zones 404, around the head of thepassengers within each of the seats 300. Accordingly, when a passenger'shead is within the second sound suppression zone 404, the noise (e.g.,from lower frequency sources, etc.) heard thereby is significantly lowerthan what would otherwise be heard outside of the second soundsuppression zone 404. In some embodiments, the first sound suppressionzone 402 and the second sound suppression zone 404 are used in unison tofurther dampen sound and/or depend different frequency noises.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first sound suppression zones402 and/or the second sound suppression zones 404 are configured tosuppress noises having a frequency of 1,000 Hertz (“Hz”) or less. Insome embodiments, the first sound suppression zones 402 and/or thesecond sound suppression zones 404 are configured to suppress noiseshaving a frequency greater than 1,000 Hz (e.g., 1,200 Hz; 1,500 Hz;2,000 Hz; etc.). By targeting lower frequency noises, the out of phasesound waves that make up the first sound suppression zones 402 and/orthe second sound suppression zones 404 may travel farther from thespeakers than if higher frequency noises were targeted (i.e., lowerfrequency waves travel farther than higher frequency waves). Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the first sound suppression zones 402 and/orthe second sound suppression zones 404 are capable of extending up toapproximately sixteen inches from the speakers that they were emittedby. In some embodiments, the first sound suppression zones 402 and/orthe second sound suppression zones 404 extend farther than or less thansixteen inches (e.g., up to at least 22 inches, up to at least 20inches, up to at least 18 inches, up to at least 14 inches, up to atleast 12 inches, up to at least 10 inches, up to at least 8 inches, upto at least 6 inches, etc.) by emitting sound waves that target lowerfrequencies, by emitting sound waves that target higher frequencies,etc.

As shown in FIGS. 2-8 , the sound suppression system 400 includes amicrophone, shown as in-seat microphone 440, positioned within eachheadrest 330 of the seats 300. According to an exemplary embodiment, thein-seat microphone 440 is positioned within the headrest 330 at alocation that is near one or more ears of a passenger sitting in theseat 300. Such positioning of the in-seat microphone facilitatesmonitoring sound that is approximately what a passenger sitting in theseat 300 is hearing. In other embodiments, the in-seat microphone 440 isotherwise positioned. By way of example, a microphone may be worn by thepassenger (e.g., around their ear, an earpiece, etc.). Sound dataacquired by the in-seat microphone 440 may be analyzed for errortracking and making dynamic adjustments to the first sound suppressionzone 402 and/or the second sound suppression zone 404 as needed toimprove the sound suppression of noise at target frequencies.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , the sound suppression system 400 includes auser detection sensor, shown as user detection sensor 460. The userdetection sensor 460 may be configured to detect the presence of, detectcharacteristics of, and/or facilitate identifying a passenger sittingwithin a respective seat 300. By way of example, the user detectionsensor 460 may be a weight sensor or switch within the seat portion 310that detects when a passenger is sitting thereon. By way of anotherexample, the user detection sensor 460 may be a camera or other type ofsensor capable of detecting characteristics of the passenger (e.g.,sitting position, height, head position, etc.). By way of yet anotherexample, the user detection sensor 460 may be a biometric sensor orscanner (e.g., a fingerprint scanner, a facial scanner, a retinalscanner, etc.) that facilitates identifying the passenger (e.g., from aset of pre-stored passenger profiles, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , the sound suppression system 400 includes aninput device, shown as user input/output (“I/O”) device 470. The userI/O device 470 may be configured to facilitate a passenger in selectinga pre-stored passenger profile associated with them and/or setting up anew passenger profile.

As shown in FIGS. 2-8 , the sound suppression system 400 includes acontrol system, shown as controller 450. In some embodiments, as shownin FIGS. 2-6 , the sound suppression system 400 includes a plurality ofthe controllers 450, one positioned within each of the headrests 330.Such individually positioned controllers 450 may individually controlthe components of the sound suppression system 400 within the headrest330 (e.g., the first in-seat speaker 410, the second in-seat speaker420, the third in-seat speaker 430, the in-seat microphone 440, etc.)associated therewith. In some embodiments, the controllers 450positioned within the seats 300 additionally or alternatively controlthe first headliner speaker 412, the second headliner speaker 422, andthe third headliner speaker 432 associated with the seat 300 thereof. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-8 , the sound suppressionsystem 400 additionally or alternatively includes a central controller450. Such a central controller 450 may control all of the components ofthe sound suppression system 400 (e.g., control sound suppression foreach of the seats 300 independently, etc.) and/or send and receivedata/commands with the controllers 450 positioned within the seats 300.Accordingly, the controller(s) 450 may facilitate independent soundsuppression control at each of the seats 300 (e.g., based on the soundat the headrest 330, the characteristics of the passenger in therespective seat 300, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 9 , the controller 450 is coupled to the first in-seatspeaker 410, the first headliner speaker 412, the second in-seat speaker420, the second headliner speaker 422, the third in-seat speaker 430,the third headliner speaker 432, the in-seat microphone 440, the userdetection sensor 460, and the user I/O device 470. In some embodiments,the controller 450 is coupled to a plurality of the first in-seatspeakers 410, a plurality of the first headliner speakers 412, aplurality of the second in-seat speakers 420, a plurality of the secondheadliner speakers 422, a plurality of the third in-seat speakers 430, aplurality of the third headliner speakers 432, a plurality of thein-seat microphones 440, the user detection sensor 460, and the user I/Odevice 470 (e.g., in embodiments where the controller 450 controls soundsuppression for all of the seats 300, etc.). In other embodiments, thecontroller 450 is coupled to more or fewer components. By way ofexample, the controller 450 may send and/or receive signals with one ormore of the first in-seat speakers 410, one or more of the firstheadliner speakers 412, one or more of the second in-seat speakers 420,one or more of the second headliner speakers 422, one or more of thethird in-seat speakers 430, one or more of the third headliner speakers432, one or more of the in-seat microphones 440, the user detectionsensor 460, and/or the user I/O device 470.

The controller 450 may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP),circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry forsupporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or othersuitable electronic processing components. According to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 9 , the controller 450 includes a processingcircuit 452 and a memory 454. The processing circuit 452 may include anASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or moreprocessing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 452 isconfigured to execute computer code stored in the memory 454 tofacilitate the activities described herein. The memory 454 may be anyvolatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable ofstoring data or computer code relating to the activities describedherein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory 454 includescomputer code modules (e.g., executable code, object code, source code,script code, machine code, etc.) configured for execution by theprocessing circuit 452. In some embodiments, controller 450 represents acollection of processing devices (e.g., servers, data centers, etc.). Insuch cases, the processing circuit 452 represents the collectiveprocessors of the devices, and the memory 454 represents the collectivestorage devices of the devices.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 450 (e.g., thecentral controller, the individual seat controllers, etc.) is configuredto control the various speakers of the sound suppression system 400 suchthat the speakers emit sound waves having at least one of a targetfrequency and a target amplitude to generate the first noise suppressionzones 402 and/or the second noise suppression zones 404 that projectoutward from at least one of the headrests 330 and the headliner 210toward the passengers sitting in the seats 300 of the passenger capsuleassembly 202 to suppress low frequency sound waves perceived by thepassengers.

In some embodiments, the controller 450 (e.g., the central controller,the individual seat controllers, etc.) is configured to store a baselinenoise profile for the vehicle 10. By way of example, a noise profile maybe experimentally recorded for the vehicle 10 and the various lowerfrequency noises (e.g., less than 1,000 Hz, etc.) generated therebyidentified (e.g., the frequencies and amplitudes of the sound wavesgenerated thereby, etc.). Using such a baseline noise profile, thecontroller 450 may thereby more accurately and effectively control thevarious speakers to generate the various first sound suppression zones402 and/or the second sound suppression zones 404 throughout thepassenger capsule assembly 202.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 450 (e.g., thecentral controller, the individual seat controllers, etc.) is configuredto receive the sound data from each of the in-seat microphones 440 andmake adjustments to the frequency and/or amplitudes of the sound wavesof the first sound suppression zones 402 and/or the second soundsuppression zones 404 (e.g., relative to the baseline profile for thevehicle 10, etc.). By way of example, the baseline profile may not beentirely representative of the sound at each headrest 330 within thepassenger capsule assembly 202. Accordingly, by monitoring the sound ateach headrest 330 using the in-seat microphones 440, the controller 450may make minor adjustments to the baseline profile to be morerepresentative of the sound waves at each specific headrest 330 and,thereby, provide more effective sound suppression.

In some embodiments, the controller 450 (e.g., the central controller,the individual seat controllers, etc.) is configured to additionally oralternatively make adjustments to the frequency and/or amplitude of thesound waves of the first sound suppression zones 402 and/or the secondsound suppression zones 404 based on the identity of each respectivepassenger and/or characteristics of each respective passenger. By way ofexample, the controller 450 may be configured to use pre-stored userprofiles (e.g., based on data received from the user detection sensor460, based on a selection made by the passenger on the user I/O device470, etc.) to make adjustments. For example, each pre-stored userprofile may indicate the height of a respective passenger, typical headpositions thereof on the headrest 330, etc. The controller 450 may thenmake minor adjustments to the first sound suppression zones 402 and/orthe second sound suppression zones 404 based on the characteristics ofthe specific passenger. By way of another example, the controller 450may be configured to detect characteristics of the passengers inreal-time (e.g., using the user detection sensor 460, height, headposition, etc.) to make dynamic adjustments to the first soundsuppression zones 402 and/or the second sound suppression zones 404based on the detected characteristics. The sound suppression system 400may thereby accommodate different sized passengers by adapting to theirrespective characteristics to provide effective sound suppression toeach unique passenger.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , a first sound profile, shown as naturalnoise profile 1000, and a second sound profile, shown as suppressednoise profile 1100, depict the performance capability of the soundsuppression system 400, according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the natural noise profile 1000 of the noise generated by the vehicle10 (e.g., low frequency noises, noises below 1,000 Hz, etc.) includes aplurality of sound peaks at varying frequencies that exceed 85 decibels(“dB”), and in some instances approach or exceed 95 dB within thepassenger capsule assembly 202. Such noise levels may hindercommunication between the passengers, as well as disrupt the ability ofthe passengers from hearing communications through earpieces (e.g., forcommunication with central command, a superior officer, another vehicle,another earpiece, a remote phone, etc.). As shown in FIG. 11 , bygenerating the first sound suppression zones 402 and/or the second soundsuppression zones 404 with the sound suppression system 400, all of thesound peaks (e.g., low frequency sound peaks, etc.) of the natural noiseprofile 1000 can be targeted and may be reduced to a noise level that isless than 85 dB, as shown by suppressed noise profile 1100, and in someinstances, all of the sound peaks may be reduced to a noise level thatis less than 80 dB. Accordingly, the sound suppression system 400 isconfigured to effectively reduce the low-frequency noise levelsperceived by the passengers within the passenger capsule assembly 202without requiring the passengers to wear ear plugs or electronic noisecanceling devices in or around their ears.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled toeach other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and notin its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements,the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that anelement may be either X; Y; Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z(i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive languageis not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each bepresent, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement thevarious processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks,modules and circuits described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purposesingle- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventionalprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processoralso may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particularprocesses and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific toa given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device)may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard diskstorage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing orfacilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in thepresent disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory, and may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or any other type of informationstructure for supporting the various activities and informationstructures described in the present disclosure. According to anexemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to theprocessor via a processing circuit and includes computer code forexecuting (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one ormore processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinationsof the above are also included within the scope of machine-readablemedia. Machine-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform acertain function or group of functions.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order ofmethod steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depictedand described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unlessspecified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, onthe software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations of the described methods could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps, and decision steps.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevehicle 10, the seats 300, and the sound suppression system 400 as shownin the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally,any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilizedwith any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example ofan element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized inanother embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciatedthat other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated orutilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle system comprising: one or moreprocessing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to oneor more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to storeinstructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to: store a plurality of passengerprofiles regarding passengers of a vehicle, each of the plurality ofpassenger profiles including pre-stored physical characteristics of arespective passenger associated therewith, the pre-stored physicalcharacteristics including at least one of a height of the respectivepassenger or a typical head position of the respective passenger withina seat of the vehicle; acquire passenger identifying data regarding apresent passenger in the vehicle; identify a respective passengerprofile associated with the present passenger from the plurality ofpassenger profiles based on the passenger identifying data; and controla speaker positioned within the vehicle based at least in part on thepre-stored physical characteristics included with the respectivepassenger profile to emit noise-canceling sound waves to generate anoise suppression zone to suppress sound waves perceived by the presentpassenger.
 2. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the noisesuppression zone is configured to suppress one or more sounds waveshaving a frequency less than 2,000 Hz.
 3. The vehicle system of claim 2,wherein the frequency is less than 1,000 Hz.
 4. The vehicle system ofclaim 1, further comprising the vehicle, the vehicle including aheadliner, a seat, and the speaker.
 5. The vehicle system of claim 4,wherein the speaker is positioned within the seat.
 6. The vehicle systemof claim 5, wherein the speaker includes a first speaker positionedalong a centerline of the seat, a second speaker laterally offset fromthe centerline to a first side of the first speaker, and a third speakerlaterally offset from the centerline to an opposing second side of thefirst speaker.
 7. The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein the firstspeaker is configured to emit the noise-canceling sound waves at a lowerfrequency than the second speaker and the third speaker.
 8. The vehiclesystem of claim 4, wherein the speaker is positioned within theheadliner.
 9. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the speakerincludes a first speaker positioned in the headliner directly above theseat, a second speaker positioned in the headliner and laterally offsetfrom the first speaker to a first side of the first speaker, and a thirdspeaker positioned in the headliner and laterally offset from the firstspeaker to an opposing second side of the first speaker.
 10. The vehiclesystem of claim 9, wherein the first speaker is configured to emit thenoise-canceling sound waves at a lower frequency than the second speakerand the third speaker.
 11. The vehicle system of claim 4, wherein theseat is a first seat and the speaker is a first speaker associated withthe first seat, wherein the vehicle includes a second seat and a secondspeaker associated with the second seat, wherein the one or moreprocessors includes a first processor configured to control the firstspeaker and a second processor configured to control the second speakerindependent of the first processor.
 12. The vehicle system of claim 4,wherein the seat is a first seat and the speaker is a first speakerassociated with the first seat, wherein the vehicle includes a secondseat and a second speaker associated with the second seat, and whereinthe one or more memory devices are further configured to storeinstructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to control the first speaker and thesecond speaker.
 13. The vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising asensor configured to be positioned within the vehicle to acquire thepassenger identifying data.
 14. The vehicle system of claim 1, whereinthe passenger identifying data is acquired based on an input receivedvia a user input device of the vehicle.
 15. The vehicle system of claim1, further comprising a microphone configured to be positioned withinthe vehicle, wherein the microphone is configured to acquire sound data,and wherein the one or more memory devices are further configured tostore instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform error trackingand dynamically adjust the noise suppression zone based on the sounddata.
 16. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the microphone isconfigured to be at least one of (i) positioned within a seat of thevehicle or (ii) wearable by the present passenger.
 17. The vehiclesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more memory devices are furtherconfigured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the oneor more processors, cause the one or more processors to: acquiremovement data regarding movement of the present passenger within thevehicle; and dynamically adjust the noise suppression zone based on themovement data.
 18. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore memory devices are further configured to store instructions thereonthat, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to: store a baseline noise profile for the vehicle; controlthe speaker to emit the noise-canceling sound waves having at least oneof a target frequency or a target amplitude based on the baseline noiseprofile; and adjust the target frequency or the target amplitude basedon feedback received from a microphone.
 19. A vehicle system comprising:a first speaker; a second speaker; a first processing circuit configuredto: receive an indication that a first passenger is sitting in a firstseat of a vehicle; acquire a first passenger profile associated with thefirst passenger, the first passenger profile including pre-storedphysical characteristics of the first passenger; and control the firstspeaker based at least in part on the pre-stored physicalcharacteristics to emit first noise-canceling sound waves to generate afirst noise suppression zone that projects toward the first passenger tosuppress one or more sound waves perceived by the first passenger; and asecond processing circuit configured to: receive an indication that asecond passenger is sitting in a second seat of the vehicle; and controlthe second speaker, independent of the first processing circuit, to emitsecond noise-canceling sound waves to generate a second noisesuppression zone that projects toward the second passenger to suppressone or more sound waves perceived by the second passenger.
 20. A vehiclesystem comprising: one or more processing circuits comprising one ormore memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or morememory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto: receive an indication that a passenger is sitting in a seat of avehicle; acquire first passenger data regarding the passenger from theone or more memory devices; acquire sound data from a microphone withinthe vehicle; control one or more speakers within the vehicle based atleast in part on the sound data and the first passenger data to emitnoise-canceling sound waves to generate a noise suppression zone thatprojects toward the passenger to suppress one or more sound wavesperceived by the passenger; acquire second passenger data from a sensorregarding movement of the passenger within the seat; and dynamicallyadjust the noise suppression zone based on the second passenger data.